March is National Women’s History Month and Call Newspapers annually pays tribute to the contributions local women have made to our quality of life.

National Women’s History Month originated with the National Women In History Project in the 1970s, which asked a simple question of historians: Where are the women; what were they doing?

That prompted us to ask the same question locally. What started 17 years ago as weekly installments on women who have made a difference in this community has blossomed into this annual special section, which today features Mother St. John Facemaz, whose vision continues to this day to impact lives in Oakville.

This section also looks to the future as it features Oakville sisters Molly and Lindsey Ryan, who are two of four young finalists for major roles in several Muny stage productions this summer. The sisters just recently returned from six months touring with the cast of the 30th anniversary production of the Broadway show “Annie.”

Though history books have virtually excluded women, both leaders and ordinary citizens, Call Newspapers is proud to focus on their contributions. It is not our intention to rewrite history, but rather add different perspectives about what is historically significant.